Crookston, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Crookston, Cherry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Crookston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Eastern Cherry forecast zone and Cherry County — the most common reported hazard around Crookston, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and high winds (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | Jun 2026 | Jun 6, 2014 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Feb 2023 | Apr 11, 2001 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 36 | Mar 2026 | Nov 1, 1997 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 15 | Dec 2023 | Apr 4, 2009 · $70,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2025 | Jul 26, 2001 · $39,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2010 | Jun 10, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2020 | Jun 12, 2010 · $140,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Eastern Cherry forecast zone and Cherry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Crookston get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Crookston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kilgore 1Ne weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 4.6 | 9.2 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 7.5 | 4.8 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Crookston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 68 miles south. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Crookston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 68 mi south | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 133 mi northwest | 15,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 208 mi east-northeast | 31,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Crookston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crookston, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 15, 1962, which touched down about 19 miles west of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles east of town.
Hail: 303 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 20, 2025.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Crookston's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Crookston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Crookston, NE?
KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 68 miles south. KUDX (Rapid City, SD) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Crookston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Crookston the lowest scan from KLNX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Crookston free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Crookston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Valentine, NE radar 11 mi
- Ainsworth, NE radar 52 mi